COVID-19: Does Shampoo Protect You?
In light of the recent coronavirus
pandemic, hygiene and disinfection have become hot topics. We have
talked about the effectiveness of handwashing, handling the grocery
shopping safely and disinfecting the home. It's time to take a close
look at hair hygiene, and particularly the one product we all use -
shampoo.
How Does Shampoo Work and Is It an Effective Germ Killer?
Despite the fact the original purpose of
shampoo is not to kill bacteria, it does a pretty good job of getting
rid of it in other ways. The main aim of shampoo is to cleanse the scalp
and hair of excess oil, dirt, and product build-up. During the process
of lathering up and rinsing, shampoo weakens and sends many
microorganisms that hide in our hair down the drain.
Moreover, shampoos contain detergents that are meant to remove the oil
from our hair. They are more delicate than the ones found in soap, so
they don’t damage and dry out the hair, but they are powerful enough to
dissolve membranes of certain bacteria and viruses, thus eradicating
them. The bottom line is that shampoo may not be the most powerful
pathogen killer, but it is very effective at washing the pathogen away
and sending it down the drain.
How to Keep Your Hair Germ Free
Firstly, it's important to note that hair
is porous, and it has been proven that the novel coronavirus struggles
to live on porous surfaces (find out more about the coronavirus's
durability on surfaces here). Moreover, the hair is covered in natural
oils, which have some antimicrobial properties, and they limit the
ability of organisms to bind onto the hair.
But of course, we cannot trust natural oils alone and we must keep in
mind the fact that different people have different hair types with
different properties. The best way to stay safe is simply to wash your
hair often. In normal times, it is generally not recommended to wash
your hair every day, but experts claim that once a day is an optimal
amount during the pandemic. There is no need, however, to go overboard
and wash your hair several times a day.
Do remember to disinfect your brushes and combs regularly, and avoid
sharing hair products with your housemates to prevent the transfer of
germs. There are antibacterial and anti-fungal shampoos out there, but if
you are not advised by a doctor to use one, it is best to steer clear
from those products. According to biology experts, the risk in using
unnecessary medical products is that the antimicrobial compounds might
kill the beneficial bacteria naturally found in hair, and in many cases
promote antibiotic resistance and cause fungal scalp infections.
All in all, when it comes to hair and Covid-19, there is no need for
worry or to make changes in your usual routine. The chances that
anything harmful is living in your hair are very slim, and washing it
every day with your regular shampoo will sufficiently protect you.